"I think it fits, won’t come near Mr. Barretts F14, but it's in the box."I think it is so cool that the F14 class came right out of the box with Darrel's A&O Super duper, all carbon, state of the art race boat. That way, there is none of the typical whining like in all the other classes… who live their life in fear of someone building the ultimate all carbon race boat and "buying" the race. Now if we can just keep the cry babies from meddling with the F14 class rules we are all set. This is just a pet peeve of mine…a general statement, not in reference to anyone on this thread, or to the Nacra 430.If you are having fun with the Nacra 430 don’t worry about “coming close” to the A&O… just enjoy it for what it is….

IMHO the reason for the 430's birth was because the of the Mannering Park 14ft Regatta's and similar. I was sailing a 4.5 (sometimes with Spi) and places like Mannering Pk wouldn't let me compete as it was closer to a 15ft cat. This annoyed me and other 4.5 owners. So I think the 430 is BCC's answer to get a good little cat to compete against the Windies.

And maybe? I think they may tried to make it not too fast but tried to keep to potentual VYC above 86 so it is kept in the 14 ft class and not in with the 16ft boats like the fast (possibly faster?) 14^2 NACRA is.

I'm hearing you Jon, I feel it is aimed at the more conservative sailor but is more about getting our juniors off a Laser and into multis. It is an attractive little boat, even the mums at Tinaroo were all commenting about how "cute" it was, which disgusted me to no end!!!EVERY family that I've shown this boat to loves the concept that Dad can race and take the Family for a burn after the race with enough floatation to cope with the weight and a spinnaker to boot. Everyone can store it in the garage with a beam of 7'6".It is perfect in every way, and the ladies in the video that sailed with me were at no point uncomfortable or uneasy, even when i put the kite up. They even said it was better than the Hobie 16 and didn't bounce as much through the waves (ski boat wakes). If you are after a pure race boat, probably better off with an A class, but as a family boat, you will not do better.Having said all that, I love it as a spinnaker trainer. I've learnt more on this boat than I have any other boat I've sailed and had heaps of fun doing so.Do you think I should apply for a Nacra Sales position?Chocko

Well the men in Briscat have released some specs on the boat, i might try and weigh mine at the lake tomorrow, but it is the prototype so it may not be accurate.Will try and get some vid of it racing tomorrow as well, will be racing 2 up for the second race.Specs can be seen hereNacra 430 releasethere is a vid of the 430 sailing at Tinaroo at the bottom of the page....Chocko